8 STUDENT CONGRESS 8.1 Bills and Resolutions 8.2 Research and Writing Banking 4/18/2019 8 STUDENT CONGRESS 8.1 Bills and Resolutions 8.2 Research and Writing 8.3 Participating in Student Congress Chapter 1

GOALS Understand how Student Congress functions as a debate activity. Banking 4/18/2019 8.1 BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS GOALS Understand how Student Congress functions as a debate activity. Understand legislation in Student Congress. Chapter 1

TERMS Student Congress chamber committee docket bill resolution

Student Congress as a Debate Activity Student Congress (Stu Co) Similar to Congress in Washington, D.C., but smaller Chambers Groups of ten to thirty students Sometimes called Houses or Senates Your objective is to win a majority of votes from other student legislators.

Legislation in Student Congress Legislation may be submitted In advance of the congress or Once you arrive at the tournament site

Committees Committees Docket Groups of students focused on specific types of legislation Public Welfare Committee Foreign Affairs Committee Ways and Means Committee (Economics Committee) Docket An agenda of legislation to be debated and voted on

Bills Bill A proposed new law Usually responds to what the author sees as a problem in some area of society

Resolutions Resolution Does not become a law Proposes a topic worthy of public consideration

8.2 RESEARCHING AND WRITING Banking 4/18/2019 8.2 RESEARCHING AND WRITING GOALS Understand researching for Student Congress. Understand writing legislation for Student Congress. Chapter 1

TERMS policy article whereas

Researching for Student Congress Think about current issues in society that are important and effect many people. Stay informed about recent issues relating to Public welfare Foreign affairs Economics or ways and means

Useful Sources Use reliable sources. Print or copy articles. Read some international articles.

Organizing Your Research Use a three-ring binder to organize your printed articles. Include the sources of your articles. Consider highlighting portions of articles for quick access.

A bill is written to turn a policy into law. Writing Legislation Policy A plan of action designed to solve a problem A bill is written to turn a policy into law.

Format for Writing a Bill Articles Stages of a bill Provide easy reference to the steps of a bill

Format for Writing a Resolution Whereas Means the same as because Introduces your reasons Resolved Used to introduce the action that will become the focal point of the debate

8.3 PARTICIPATING IN STUDENT CONGRESS Banking 4/18/2019 8.3 PARTICIPATING IN STUDENT CONGRESS GOALS Understand the use of parliamentary procedure at Student Congress. Understand the criteria for judging at Student Congress. Chapter 1

TERMS parliamentary procedure Robert’s Rules of Order Presiding Officer authorship speech negation speech amendment motion cross-examination judge

Parliamentary Procedure A set of guidelines Allows for discussion by using the democratic process Robert’s Rules of Order A publication that lists parliamentary rules

Organization of the Contest Participants will be organized by a seating chart. Presiding Officer (PO) An elected leader who calls upon competitors who wish to speak or ask a question Maintains the precedence chart

Speeches and Amendments Authorship speech The first speech on a bill or resolution Three to four minutes long Allows the author to elaborate on the bill or resolution Negation speech Follows authorship speeches

Three sections of a speech Introduction Contentions Conclusion Amendments Allow for participants in Student Congress to amend or change either a bill or resolution

Motions Motion A declaration before the chamber meant to determine the direction of the proceeding

Cross-Examination after Speeches A one-minute period allowed after a speech to question the speaker Two minutes are allowed after the authorship speech

Voting At the conclusion of the discussion, the chamber will vote on the legislation. You should vote every time.

Judging Judge An adult official of the Student Congress Scores speeches Serves as parliamentarian Has the final word

The scorer assigns points ranging from a low of 1 to a high of 6. Criteria for Judging The scorer assigns points ranging from a low of 1 to a high of 6. Typical standards to evaluate a speech include: Eloquence Logic Organization Extemporaneity Questioning